Cartridge-boxes



2 Sheets sheet,

1. LEE. Gartridge-Box.

Patented AprH 27, \875-v WZnesses:

THE GRAPHIC C0.PH0TO7LITH.39&4I PARK PLACE NY.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

1. LEE. Cartridge-Box.

Patented April 27, 1875.

THE GRAPHIC C0.PHDTO -LlTH.39&4-I PARK PLAGENY Nrrso JAMES LEE, OF MI'LVAUKEE, \VISGONSlN.

IMPROVEMENT lb! CARTRiDGE-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters laent No. Ediihi it, dated Ap il 27, 1875; application liled April 12, 1575.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES LEE, of Milwaukee, in the county of hlilwaukee and State of \Visconsin, have invented certain Improvements in Cartridge-Boxes, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of certain improvements in cartridge-boxes, whereby the cartridges can be stored very compactly, and held in a position more convenitmt for loading the gun. It further consists in a supplenwntary cartridge-box, so constructed as to be readily attached to the main box, for supplying cartridges when the latter is exhausted; and it further consists in so constructing the cartridge-box that it can be slipped over the gun, and used in that position, all as hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved cartridge-box, a portion being shown in section, to exhibit the spring and follower inside. Fig. .5 is a perspective view of the supplemental or auxiliary box. Fig. is a side elevation, and Fig. 4; a transverse section, of a gun, with the cartridge-box applied thereto; and Fig. 5 is an edge view. Fig. ti illustrates the position in which the box is carried in action.

in constructing my improved cartridge-box I make a case, A, of metal or other suitable material, of curved or segmental form, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2, its curvature being such as to permit the flanged cartridges to lie therein side by side, with their flanges overlapping, as shown in Fig. l. The box should be of a width a little more than equal to the length of the cartridges, so as to permit them to move freely therein, but not to let them rattle about loosely. lt-s thickness should be made to correspond with the size of the cartridges, so that they will lie therein in asingle compact row, as represented in Fig. l. A zigzag spring, I), having a follower or block, 4, attached to the end next to the cartridges, is inserted within the box, as also shown in Fig. 1, for the purpose of feeding the cartridges forward to the mouth in a proper position, and also to prevent them from falling over or rattling about loosely in the box. At its lower end the box A is curved or bent sidewise, as shown at I, Fig. 1, this curved portion being made slightly conical, to permit the head of the cartridges to be crowded over opposite the mouth or opening (1 at the lower left-hand corner, as shown in Fig. 1.

In filling the box the cartridges are shoved one at a time into the month d, the follower being pressed back by pressing on the cartridge previously inserted, the one last inserted always having its flange overlapping the preceding one, as shown in Fig. 1, so that when presented at the mouth it is ready to be witlnlrawn without obstruction. The pressure ot' the spring and the weight of the cartridges will prevent the one at the mouth from falling out; but I propose to pivot a piece to the lower end of the box A in such a manner that it can be shut over the mouth when desired. This may be of metal, pivoted on the edge of the box to turn up out of the way when using the box; or it may be a bent piece, hinged at the lower end, so as to shut over the month. \Vhen covered with leather, a flap may be made at the lower end to turn up over the mouth, and be fastened by a stud, it being allowed to ban g down when the box is being used.

The box, when thus constructed, is intended to be arranged on the body of the soldier, in action, as represented in Fig. 6, it being supplied with a strap, B, at its upper end, which strap, as shown in Fig. l, is connected at its opposite end to another strap, 0, that passes around the body, and is connected to the lower end of the box A, thus securely holding the box in a slightly-diagonal position, extending from the left shoulder down over the breast, and bringing its mouth, from whence the car tridges are taken, in close proximity to the breech of the gun, thereby greatly facilitating the operation of loading the arm.

in marching, the box may be attached to the waistbclt, and thus avoid bringing any pressure on the chest of the soldier; and as a shoulder-strap is generally used, it may be attached to that, in time of action, and thus dis pensc with the use of the straps l) O.

1 make the su 'iplemental box E, Fig. 2, in the same manner as the main box A, and on its rear face attach two hooks, 0, to engage in loops 0, arranged on the front face of box A, as represented in Fig. 1. I also attach to the box E a slide, a, as shown in Fig. 2, with its inner end bent up to form a lip, so that after the hooks 0 are inserted in the loops 0 this slide a can be shoved in and made to engage with the edge of box A, thereby locking the box E securely to the box A, thus enabling the soldier to supply an additional box already iilled withoutstopping to refill the main box A when it is exhausted. \V'heu not in use this supplemental box E can be carried attached to the waist-belt by the hooks 0, as represented in Fig. 6. It is also obvious that the main box A or the supplemental box E can, if desired, be arranged to be carried and used on the waist-belt alone; but I prefer the planv shown, because it al'i'ords greater facility in loading.

When it is desired to apply the cartridgebox to the gun, I make it in the same general manner, but bend it so as to clasp the gun, it being slipped on over the barrel and stock from the muzzle, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4t. An open space is left between the two ends, as shown in Fig. 4, so as not to interfere with the sights. When thus used, it should be made of such a size as to allow it to be shoved back to near the breech, as shown in Fig. 4, where it maybe secured by a strap, Z, attached to the rear swivel-loop, and engaging over a a small stud, 2, on the front edge of the box A, as shown, the strap used as a sling on the gun being used for this purpose, in case there be one on the gun. \Vhen used in this manner, I omit the curved portion I, as it is not necessary to throw the heads out to one side, they being drawn straight back out of the mouth.

'idprevent the cartridges from accidentally falling out when the gun is held upright, I locate a spring-catch, '2', at the mouth in such a position as to engage over the head of the cartridgc to hold it in, the outer portion of the catch r being beveled on its upper side, as represented in Fig. 4., to admit the ready insertion of the cartridges. When taking cartridges from the box, this catch 0 is depressed by the thumb, in the act of seizing the cartridge, and thus, while serving to hold the cartridges securely in the box, it does not interfere perceptibl y with their withdrawal therefrom. With the box thus applied to a single breech-loading gun, the latter has all the advantages of a magazine-gun, without its complication or expense.

W hen the box A is covered with leather, as it generally will be, the loops 0 may be made to protrude through holes in the leather; or they may be dispensed with, and slits cut in the leather covering for the hooks to engage in. It is also obvious that, instead of the slidin g catch 12, a spring-catch may be substituted, if desired.

ll'avin g thus described in y in vention, what I claim is-- 1. A cartridge-box, consisting of the case A, curved edgewise to permit the cartridges to iit therein in a compact row, with their heads overlapping, as shown, and curved sidewise to adapt it to the person or to the gun, substantially as described.

2. The box A, having its lower end I curved laterally, and provided with the m outh or opening (l for witlulrawing the cartridges, as de scribed.

3. The box, provided with the books 0 and the catch a, or its equivalent, for attaching it to another box or to the belt, substantially as set forth.

a. The curved box A, provided with the spring I) for feeding forward the cartridges, and the spring-catch 'r for preventing the accidental expulsion of the same, substantially as described.

J AMES LEE.

Nitnesses:

J. MGKENNEY, \V. W. DODGE. 

